A very quiet type, a good worker

Giuseppe Montini was born in Vetto D’Enza (Reggio Emilio) Italy on the 14th May 1900.  He was a valet working for Mr Isherwood in London when he was arrested on the 11th June 1940.

He listed his daughter Wilma Montini living at Castellavazzo (Belluno) Italy as his next of kin and noted his marital status as single. Wilma, a minor, was in the care of Mrs Anna Olivier Zoldan and in 1942,Giuseppe had to make application for approval under the Trading with the Enemy Act to write to Banco Di Roma in Italy and have money transferred from his bank account to Mrs Zoldan for the care of his daughter.

Giuseppe’s marital status was clarified for the Australian authorities when his wife Sofia wrote to the Red Cross looking for information on her husband. Dr G Morel, the representative of the International Committee for the Red Cross in Australia wrote to Giuseppe on the 13th October 1943, I have received a letter from your wife Mrs Sofia Montini, who is without news of you for a long time.  Please write immediately your state of health and general news. (NAA:MP10/1 Tatura Part 3) It appears that despite Giuseppe being separated from his wife Sofia, it was obvious that she remained concerned for his welfare.

He was a very quiet type who associated with Pietro Barbuti and Lodovico Bertorelli.  He was a constant worker in the garden party, little else is known about Giuseppe. He was ‘released on parole’ on the 16th May 1944 for employment with the Civil Aliens Corps in forestry.

He arrived in Liverpool, England on the 29th March 1945 onboard the Althone Castle as a released internee. On the ship’s register his address was noted as Greenway Court, Birchwood, Dorset.